Carlsbad elections: who's who on the ballot

CARLSBAD- Election dates are beginning to creep up, with three people running for one spot as municipal judge and four people running unopposed for city council.

Each city council ward has only one candidate and they all are currently serving on the council as well. The candidates include Edward T. Rodriguez, Sandra K. Nunley, Jason G. Shirley, and Janell E. Whitlock.

However, there are three candidates hoping to become municipal judge: Martin J. Mills Jr., Fred Joe Hill, and Janet F. Ellis. Judge David Redford is currently serving as municipal judge; however he is not seeking reelection.

"I'll actively pursue equal justice for all," Hill said. "I believe in alternative sentencing. I'm a lifetime public servant. I'm committed to the citizens of Carlsbad and Eddy County and surrounding areas.”

Janet Ellis:

Janet Ellis said she has worked as an attorney for 19 years after receiving her degree at the University of Montana School of Law, which is now called the Alexander Blewett III School of Law.

Ellis said she had previously worked under Tom Rutledge, a retired district court judge who she said was well-known in Carlsbad.

Buy Photo

Janet Ellis(Photo: Connie Lee/ Current-Argus)

While she was working as an attorney, she was also involved with the Carlsbad Battered Family Shelter, where she was president of the board.

Before attending law school, Ellis was a telephone operator at a phone company for 19 years.

Ellis said she feels that her past experience of battling cancer has strengthened her enough to win the election. She recently finished her final treatments.

Ellis also believes that she is a "very honest person" and that as a municipal court judge, she would look at each case fairly and individually.

"I believe if I can kick cancers butt then I can win an election," she said.

Buy Photo

Martin Mills Jr.(Photo: Connie Lee/ Current-Argus)

Martin Mills Jr.

Martin Mills Jr. said that he currently works in construction and wants to provide a new way to handle the justice system. According to Mills Jr., as municipal court judge he would ensure that less people are sentenced to jail time.

"If we throw people in jail all the time, then who’s going to pay the taxes?" he said.

Mills Jr. has also spent time in the court room as a defendant. He pleaded no contest to a 2014 resisting arrest, evading or obstructing an officer charge. He also had two cases, stalking and battery on a household member, dismissed by a judge after he was found not competent.

He also said that he believes that there is not enough focus on education and that the "education system has failed us."

Mills Jr. stated that he has 27 years of construction experience. He also served in the U.S. Army, infantry unit, for 6 months before being released in 2000 on a medical discharge.